Minor i-bIII-bVII-bVI Chord Progression
The Minor i-bIII-bVII-bVI is the chord progression i-bIII-bVII-bVI. In the key of C minor it is Cm Eb Bb Ab, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m b3 b7 b6.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
All four chords come from natural minor. The line rises from i to bIII, jumps to bVII, then steps down to bVI, which leads back to i without any dominant. Because it avoids V, the loop feels open and driving rather than resolved, which is why it suits anthems and dance tracks.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counting Stars | OneRepublic | verse and chorus | C#m E B A | C# minor |
| Hello | Adele | verse | Fm Ab Eb Db | F minor |
| Levels | Avicii | verse | C#m E B A | C# minor |
| Timber | Pitbull ft. Ke$ha | chorus | G#m B F# E | G# minor |
Minor i-bIII-bVII-bVI Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Aeolian shuttle: Cm Bb Ab Bb
- Minor i-bVII-iv: Cm Bb Fm
- Minor circle-of-fifths loop: Cm Fm Bb Eb
- Minor i-iv-bVI-V: Cm Fm Ab G
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Minor i-bIII-bVII-bVI in each key?
In C minor: Cm Eb Bb Ab. In G minor: Gm Bb F Eb. In D minor: Dm F C Bb. In A minor: Am C G F. In E minor: Em G D C.
Which songs use the Minor i-bIII-bVII-bVI?
Songs that use it include Counting Stars by OneRepublic, Hello by Adele, Levels by Avicii.
